Del Bosque will give Villa until last minute to prove fitness for Euro 2012

Posted Saturday, May 05, 2012 by Goal.com

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque is willing to give David Villa until the last minute to prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2012, but acknowledged that selecting the Barcelona forward could upset some other members of the squad.

Villa has been out of action since breaking his tibia during the Club World Cup in December but is nearing a return to competitive action and, on Friday, Pep Guardiola urged Del Bosque to consider the striker for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Del Bosque has now revealed that he is willing to give the nation's all-time record goalscorer as much time as possible in order to stake his claim for a place at the Euros, even though he knows that including a player who has not featured in six months would frustrate the player forced to make way.

"We have an obligation and a conviction to wait until the last minute," the former Real Madrid coach told reporters on Friday.

"He has been our most tried and trusted goalscorer, the most reliable of all. But bringing him could cost us because it might lead to grievances elsewhere."

No matter what, though, Del Bosque insists that he will do what he feels is right for his country.

"The list is made with both the head and heart," he explained. "We have to make painful decisions, but the national team comes first."

Spain have been drawn in the same group as Italy, Republic of Ireland and Croatia at Euro 2012.